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Friday, July 31, 2015

This week, I've been on a bit of a neutral kick. On Wednesday, I embraced olive green as a go-to neutral. Even this lover of brights values that neutral hues so effortlessly produce simple, sophisticated outfits. So, today, it's all about black and white. Of course, mixed black and white prints make this neutral outfit jazzy.

Adding oomph to neutrals. Every piece in the look is black and white. But, the blouse has gunmetal studs on the front. The pumps feature a striking print that looks like it was created by blending a graphic print with an animal print. The clutch (oh how I love this clutch) is made with African textiles, including Bogolanfini mud cloth. Lots of oomph.

When I'm planning outfits that mix prints, I like to see the prints together before trying them on. I do this to make sure that there's harmony. I knew I had a winning combination when I did this flat lay.

This pair of J.Crew Elsie printed leather pumps was an impulse buy. I got them for $40 (orig. $275) during that wild summer sale at J.Crew last week. That sale is back! You can get 75% off several marked down items using the code "SHOPSALE" (shop the sale here). Of course, sizes are very limited now, but the deals are worth a look.

Have a wonderful weekend! I'll see you here on Monday. Let's connect on Instagram until then.

Thursday, July 30, 2015

In addition to blogging about my personal style and shopping preferences, I also follow the fashion scenes in St. Louis. This past weekend, I attended the "Fashion vs Style" runway event at the Koken Art Factory. Covering the show allowed me to photograph a wide range of models and talk with local fashion enthusiasts.

The show featured 11 designers and boutique owners: Glambitions by Charay, Windsor Store, Honey's Child Boutique, Kontrast, ADF, J'Ron, LAHA, Altered Perception, Young Addy, Prominent Sanctuary, and Moving in Silence. Their clothing lines showcased a myriad of styles. Overall, the show confirmed my sense that fashion in St. Louis is evolving in really exciting ways.

After looking over the 600-plus (yes!) images that I took at the show, I selected a relatively small assortment of images that sparked my interest. Below, I've spotlighted reds, whites, and prints.

Wednesday, July 29, 2015

I respect the stylistic powers of neutrals. They go well with just about everything. Grey. Beige. White. Sometimes, a look just calls for one of these neutral hues. This summer, olive green has emerged as the go-to neutral. No surprise either. Olive tones beautifully with other neutrals and blends well with all the other "It" colors of the season.

These images were taken in an alley near my house. I was drawn to this wall because the faded, hand-painted ad looks artsy and is a cool throwback to another time. It's a Coca Cola ad. Ghost signs like these are all over St. Louis. Remember the one in my Smile post?

Tuesday, July 28, 2015

I've been quite fascinated by the iridescent pieces in the latest rollout of inventory at J.Crew. Have you seen them? There's a pair of J.Crew Elsie Hologram d'Orsay pumps and a clutch in a striking metallic-foil leather. The Italian-made leather has the kind of bold finish you'd either love or hate. I'm loving it.

Since my style is predominantly casual, I thought I would start experimenting with these metallic pieces, virtually for now. Today, I'm taking the clutch for a casual chic spin. Here's how I'd wear it.

I knew I wanted to wear my new J.Crew pumps to the event, so I styled this very classic look featuring a blazer and slim pants to allow the pumps and other accessories to stand out. The look is classic with a twist. Talking about style, find out more about how I think about my personal style in this cool article on You Look Fab. I'm so honored to be featured.

One of the things I love most about blogging is it connects me to fashion enthusiasts all over the world. In today's look, I'm wearing a couple handmade, beaded necklaces from Cameroon. The necklaces are gifts from my friend, ChouChou, who is an excellent ambassador to her country. See Cameroon through her eyes by visiting her on Instagram and tumblr. You will be wowed!

Handmade necklaces from Cameroon.

The J.Crew Elsie fabric d'Orsay pumps are now under $100 (orig. $298). Isn't the print on these pumps stunning? According to J.Crew, the fabric used to make these shoes is from an Italian mill known for its unique designs. If you wanted a pair, keep checking the site for pop backs in your size.

The Banana Republic sloan-fit textured slim ankle pants in chambray is on sale in-store. And, of course, sale is on sale at Banana Republic. Last weekend, I believe the additional discount on sale items was 50%. These pants are a great classic style that fit well. Click through the link to read all the rave reviews.